bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Frequency-Dependent Neural Activity in Patients with Unilateral Vascular Pulsatile Tinnitus
Authors: Lv Han , Zhao Pengfei , Liu Zhaohui , Wang Guopeng , Zeng Rong , Yan Fei , Dong Cheng , Zhang Ling , Li Rui , Wang Peng , Li Ting , Gong Shusheng , Wang Zhenchang
Published: June 2016

Previous resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) studies have shown that neurological changes are important findings in vascular pulsatile tinnitus (PT) patients. Here, we utilized rs-fMRI to measure the amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF) in forty patients with unilateral PT and forty age-, gender-, and education-matched normal control subjects. Two different frequency bands (slow-4, 0.027–0.073 Hz, and slow-5, 0.010–0.027 Hz, which are more sensitive to subcortical and cortical neurological signal changes, resp.) were analyzed to examine the intrinsic brain activity in detail. Compared to controls, PT patients had increased ALFF values mainly in the PCu, bilateral IPL (inferior parietal lobule), left IFG (inferior frontal gyrus), and right IFG/anterior insula and decreased ALFF values in the multiple occipital areas including bilateral middle-inferior occipital lobe. For the differences of the two frequency bands, widespread ALFF differences were observed. The ALFF abnormalities in aMPFC/ACC, PCu, right IPL, and some regions of occipital and parietal cortices were greater in the slow-5 band compared to the slow-4 band. Additionally, the THI score of PT patients was positively correlated with changes in slow-5 and slow-4 band in PCu. Pulsatile tinnitus is a disease affecting the neurological activities of multiple brain regions. Slow-5 band is more sensitive in detecting the alternations. Our results also indicated the importance of pathophysiological investigations in patients with pulsatile tinnitus in the future.
Expression of HIF-2αand VEGF in Cervical Squamous Cell Carcinoma and Its Clinical Significance
Authors: Zhang Lixia , Chen Qiang , Hu Jing , Chen Yue , Liu Chenglong , Xu Changshui
Published: June 2016

CSCC is a systemic disease involving polygenic alteration and multiple steps, and HIF and VEGF are closely associated with tumorigenesis. Specimens surgically resected from 64 cases of CSCC and 22 cases of normal cervical tissue were selected randomly to detect the expression of HIF-2αand VEGF in CSCC for exploring their clinical significance; information regarding the age, lymph node metastasis, and FIGO staging were collected as well; expression of HIF-2αand VEGF was detected by qPCR and immunohistochemistry. We found that the expression of HIF-2αand VEGF mRNA in CSCC was significantly higher than that of normal cervical tissues and showed a positive correlation between them. The positive rates of HIF-2αand VEGF protein expression in CSCC and normal cervical tissues were 93.8% and 18.2%, respectively, with correlation between them. The expression of both HIF-2αand VEGF mRNA did not relate closely to age but the FIGO staging and lymph node metastasis. Compared with the counterpart control group, CSCC tissues with high FIGO staging and lymph node metastasis had a higher level of HIF-2αand VEGF mRNA expression. So, HIF-2αand VEGF were overexpressed in CSCC, which has a great clinical significance for its diagnosis.
Molecular Hydrogen Therapy Ameliorates Organ Damage Induced by Sepsis
Authors: Zheng Yijun , Zhu Duming
Published: June 2016

Since it was proposed in 2007, molecular hydrogen therapy has been widely concerned and researched. Many animal experiments were carried out in a variety of disease fields, such as cerebral infarction, ischemia reperfusion injury, Parkinson syndrome, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, chronic kidney disease, radiation injury, chronic hepatitis, rheumatoid arthritis, stress ulcer, acute sports injuries, mitochondrial and inflammatory disease, and acute erythema skin disease and other pathological processes or diseases. Molecular hydrogen therapy is pointed out as there is protective effect for sepsis patients, too. The impact of molecular hydrogen therapy against sepsis is shown from the aspects of basic vital signs, organ functions (brain, lung, liver, kidney, small intestine, etc.), survival rate, and so forth. Molecular hydrogen therapy is able to significantly reduce the release of inflammatory factors and oxidative stress injury. Thereby it can reduce damage of various organ functions from sepsis and improve survival rate. Molecular hydrogen therapy is a prospective method against sepsis.
Pervasive Investigations of Critical Speed over Weight and Deflection Factors of Shaft Assembly in CNC Ball Screw System
Authors: Verma Kuldeep , Belokar R. M.
Published: June 2016

The demand for higher productivity requires machine tools to work on the adequate critical speed to have faster and more accurate ball screw system. Ball screw affects severely over the higher rotation speed of the shaft in computer numeric control (CNC) machining centers. This paper deals with an approach to calculate the initial critical speed of the shaft. Critical speed requires significant attention due to its major use in the manufacturing sectors. The impacts of weight on the critical speed of shaft assembly have been analyzed from theoretical as well as analytical investigations. Additionally, we evaluated the impact of weight on the deflection of the shafts along with failure analysis of shafts with respect to critical speed. Further, we computed the results for critical speed based factor to enhance the accuracy of CNC machining centers. Finally, the analytical estimations have been carried out to prove the validity of our proposal.
Genetic Analysis of the Atrial Natriuretic Peptide Gene Polymorphisms among Essential Hypertensive Patients in Malaysia
Authors: Ghodsian Nooshin , Ismail Patimah , Ahmadloo Salma , Eskandarian Narges , Etemad Ali
Published: June 2016

Background. Atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) considerably influences blood pressure regulation through water and sodium homoeostasis. Several of the studies have utilized anonymous genetic polymorphic markers and made inconsequent claims about theANPrelevant disorders. Thus, we screened Insertion/Deletion (ID) and G191A polymorphisms ofANPto discover sequence variations with potential functional significance and to specify the linkage disequilibrium pattern between polymorphisms. The relationships of detected polymorphisms with EH with or without Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) status were tested subsequently.Method.ANPgene polymorphisms (I/DandA191G) were specified utilizing mutagenically separated Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) in 320 subjects including 163 EH case subjects and 157 controls.Result. This case-control study discovered a significant association betweenI/Dpolymorphisms ofANPgene in EH patient without T2DM. However, the study determined no association between G191A polymorphisms ofANPin EH with or without T2DM. In addition, sociodemographic factors in the case and healthy subjects exhibited strong differences (P<0.05).Conclusion. As a risk factor,ANPgene polymorphisms may affect hypertension. Despite the small sample size in this study, it is the first research assessing theANPgene polymorphisms in both EH and T2DM patients among Malaysian population.
Functional Connectivity Analysis of NIRS Data under Rubber Hand Illusion to Find a Biomarker of Sense of Ownership
Authors: Arizono Naoki , Ohmura Yuji , Yano Shiro , Kondo Toshiyuki
Published: June 2016

The self-identification, which is called sense of ownership, has been researched through methodology of rubber hand illusion (RHI) because of its simple setup. Although studies with neuroimaging technique, such as fMRI, revealed that several brain areas are associated with the sense of ownership, near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) has not yet been utilized. Here we introduced an automated setup to induce RHI, measured the brain activity during the RHI with NIRS, and analyzed the functional connectivity so as to understand dynamical brain relationship regarding the sense of ownership. The connectivity was evaluated by multivariate Granger causality. In this experiment, the peaks of oxy-Hb on right frontal and right motor related areas during the illusion were significantly higher compared with those during the nonillusion. Furthermore, by analyzing the NIRS recordings, we found a reliable connectivity from the frontal to the motor related areas during the illusion. This finding suggests that frontal cortex and motor related areas communicate with each other when the sense of ownership is induced. The result suggests that the sense of ownership is related to neural mechanism underlying human motor control, and it would be determining whether motor learning (i.e., neural plasticity) will occur. Thus RHI with the functional connectivity analysis will become an appropriate biomarker for neurorehabilitation.
The Effects of the Emission Cost on Route Choices of International Container Ships
Authors: Lee Hyangsook , Lee Kang-Dae , Choo Sangho
Published: June 2016

Maritime freight shipping has increased significantly and air pollution from international ships has grown accordingly, having serious environmental effects all over the world. This paper analyzes the effects of the emission cost on ocean route choices, focusing on international container ships. First, the paper formulates a freight network model that captures decisions and interactions of ocean carriers and port terminal operators in the maritime freight transport system. Then, the emission cost is calculated based on an activity-based approach as a component of the ocean transportation cost function. A case study is examined to find if the emission cost affects ocean route choices. The results indicate that the optimal ocean route and transportation cost are changed distinctively due to the emission cost. The research discusses how the emission cost plays a role in route changes and why ocean carriers have to consider these costs in their routing decisions.
What Do Parents Think about Chromosomal Microarray Testing? A Qualitative Report from Parents of Children with Autism Spectrum Disorders
Authors: Xu Lei , Mitchell Linda Crane , Richman Alice R. , Clawson Kaitlyn
Published: June 2016

Background. Chromosomal Microarray Analysis (CMA) is increasingly utilized to detect copy number variants among children and families affected with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). However, CMA is controversial due to possible ambiguous test findings, uncertain clinical implications, and other social and legal issues related to the test.Methods. Participants were parents of children with ASD residing in the North Eastern region of North Carolina, USA. We conducted individual, face-to-face interviews with 45 parents and inquired about their perceptions of CMA.Results. Three major themes dominated parents’ perceptions of CMA. None of the parents had ever heard of the test before and the majority of the parents postulated positive attitudes toward the test. Parents’ motivations in undergoing the test were attributed to finding a potential cause of ASD, to being better prepared for having another affected child, and to helping with future reproductive decisions. Perceived barriers included the cost of testing, risk/pain of CMA testing, and fear of test results.Conclusion. This study contributes to the understanding of psychosocial aspects and cultural influences towards adoption of genetic testing for ASD in clinical practice. Genetic education can aid informed decision-making related to CMA genetic testing among parents of children with ASD.
Production and Catalytic Properties of Amylases fromLichtheimia ramosaandThermoascus aurantiacusby Solid-State Fermentation
Authors: de Oliveira Ana Paula Aguero , Silvestre Maria Alice , Garcia Nayara Fernanda Lisboa , Alves-Prado Heloíza Ferreira , Rodrigues André , Paz Marcelo Fossa da , Fonseca Gustavo Graciano , Leite Rodrigo Simões Ribeiro
Published: June 2016

The present study compared the production and the catalytic properties of amylolytic enzymes obtained from the fungiLichtheimia ramosa(mesophilic) andThermoascus aurantiacus(thermophilic). The highest amylase production in both fungi was observed in wheat bran supplemented with nutrient solution (pH 4.0) after 96 hours of cultivation, reaching 417.2 U/g of dry substrate (or 41.72 U/mL) and 144.5 U/g of dry substrate (or 14.45 U/mL) forL. ramosaandT. aurantiacus, respectively. The enzymes showed higher catalytic activity at pH 6.0 at 60°C. The amylases produced byL. ramosaandT. aurantiacuswere stable between pH 3.5–10.5 and pH 4.5–9.5, respectively. The amylase ofL. ramosawas stable at 55°C after 1 hour of incubation, whereas that ofT. aurantiacusmaintained 60% of its original activity under the same conditions. Both enzymes were active in the presence of ethanol. The enzymes hydrolyzed starch from different sources, with the best results obtained with corn starch. The enzymatic complex produced byL. ramosashowed dextrinizing and saccharifying potential. The enzymatic extract produced by the fungusT. aurantiacuspresented only saccharifying potential, releasing glucose monomers as the main hydrolysis product.
Total Endoscopic Thyroidectomy with Intraoperative Laryngeal Nerve Monitoring
Authors: Lv Bin , Zhang Bin , Zeng Qing-Dong
Published: June 2016

Objective. To evaluate the clinical efficacy of laryngeal nerve (LN) monitoring (LNM) during total endoscopic thyroidectomy via breast approach, with emphasis on the identification rates for RLN and EBSLN and the incidence of RLN paralysis. Materials and Methods. This retrospective study included 280 patients who underwent endoscopic thyroidectomy with or without LNM. RLN and EBSLN were identified using endoscopic magnification in the control group, while they were localized additionally by LNM in the LNM group. Demographic parameters and surgical outcomes were analyzed by statistical methods. Patients in the control group were also stratified by the side of thyroidectomy to determine difference in left and right RLN injury rates. Results. All procedures were successfully conducted without permanent LN damage. The identification rates for RLN and EBSLN were high in the LNM group compared to those of the control group, and the risk difference (RD) of temporary RLN injury between two groups was 6.3%. The risk of damage was slightly higher for the left RLN than for the right RLN in the control group, which was performed by a right-hand surgeon. Conclusion. The joint application of LNM and endoscopic magnified view endows total endoscopic thyroidectomy with ease, safety, and efficiency.
PSUN: An OFDM-Pulsed Radar Coexistence Technique with Application to 3.5 GHz LTE
Authors: Kim Seungmo , Choi Junsung , Dietrich Carl
Published: June 2016

This paper proposes Precoded SUbcarrier Nulling (PSUN), an orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) transmission strategy for a wireless communications system that needs to coexist with federal military radars generating pulsed signals in the 3.5 GHz band. This paper considers existence of Environmental Sensing Capability (ESC), a sensing functionality of the 3.5 GHz band coexistence architecture, which is one of the latest suggestions among stakeholders discussing the 3.5 GHz band. Hence, this paper considers impacts of imperfect sensing for a precise analysis. Imperfect sensing occurs due to either a sensing error by an ESC or a parameter change by a radar. This paper provides a framework that analyzes performance of an OFDM system applying PSUN with imperfect sensing. Our results show that PSUN is still effective in suppressing ICI caused by radar interference even with imperfect pulse prediction. As an example application, PSUN enables LTE downlink to support various use cases of 5G in the 3.5 GHz band.
Changes in Weight Loss, Health Behaviors, and Intentions among 400 Participants Who Dropped out from an Insurance-Sponsored, Community-Based Weight Management Program
Authors: Zizzi Sam J. , Lima Fogaca Jana , Sheehy Tammy , Welsh Myia , Abildso Christiaan
Published: June 2016

The majority of weight management research is based on data from randomized controlled studies conducted in clinical settings. As these findings are translated into community-based settings, additional research is needed to understand patterns of lifestyle change and dropout. The purpose of this study was to examine reasons for and consequences associated with dropout (or removal) from an insurance-funded weight management program. Using a mixed methods approach with objectively measured changes in body weight and attendance along with quantitative and qualitative survey data, patterns of intention and behavior change were explored. The results from a sample of 400 respondents support the idea that there are both positive and negative consequences of program participation. Overall, 1 in 5 respondents lost a clinically significant amount of weight during the program (>5% of baseline body weight) and 1 in 3 experienced a positive consequence, while only 6% expressed a negative outcome of participation. Additionally, nearly 90% of all of the consequences that emerged from the data were positive. Attitude change was a major theme, including positive health intentions, perceived success, learning skills, and new appreciation of exercise.
Effect of Toll-Like Receptor 4 on Synovial Injury of Temporomandibular Joint in Rats Caused by Occlusal Interference
Authors: Kong Jingjing , Yang Yingying , Sun Shuzhen , Xie Jianli , Lin Xuefen , Ji Ping
Published: June 2016

Synovitis is an important disease that causes intractable pain in TMJ. Some investigations suggested that the increasing expression of IL-1βsecreted by synovial lining cells plays an important role in synovial inflammation and cartilage destruction in TMJ. In our previous research, the results demonstrated that TLR4 is involved in the expression of IL-1βin SFs from TMJ with lipopolysaccharide stimulation. However, the inflammatory response that occurred in synovial membrane is not caused by bacterial infection. In the current study, we investigated whether or not TLR4 participates in the inflammatory responses and the expression of IL-1βin synovial membrane of rats induced by occlusal interference. The results showed that obvious inflammation changes were observed in the synovial membranes and the expression of TLR4 and IL-1βwas increased at both mRNA and protein levels in the occlusal interference rats. In addition, the inflammation reactions and the increased expression of IL-1βcould be restrained by treatment with TAK-242, a blocker of TLR4 signaling. The results prompted us that the activation of TLR4 may be involved in the inflammatory reactions and increased expression of IL-1βin patients with synovitis and participate in the mechanisms of the initiation and development of synovial injury by regulating the expression of inflammatory mediators like IL-1βin synovial membranes.
Hybrid Wireless Sensor Network Coverage Holes Restoring Algorithm
Authors: Zhouzhou Liu , She Yanhong
Published: June 2016

Aiming at the perception hole caused by the necessary movement or failure of nodes in the wireless sensor actuator network, this paper proposed a kind of coverage restoring scheme based on hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm. The scheme first introduced network coverage based on grids, transformed the coverage restoring problem into unconstrained optimization problem taking the network coverage as the optimization target, and then solved the optimization problem in the use of the hybrid particle swarm optimization algorithm with the idea of simulated annealing. Simulation results show that the probabilistic jumping property of simulated annealing algorithm could make up for the defect that particle swarm optimization algorithm is easy to fall into premature convergence, and the hybrid algorithm can effectively solve the coverage restoring problem.
Synthesis, Properties, and In Vitro Hydrolytic Degradation of Poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone)
Authors: Liu Yixiu , Bai Xizhuang , Liang A.
Published: June 2016

Random copolymers of poly(d,l-lactide-co-glycolide-co-ε-caprolactone) (PLGC) were synthesized by the ring-opening polymerization of d,l-lactide (DLLA), glycolide (GA), andε-caprolactone (CL). The effects of CL on the copolymers were evaluated to prepare suitable copolymers with controlled properties. Our results showed that the CL content significantly influenced the thermal and mechanical properties of the copolymers and that the CL content in compositions could be altered to control properties of random copolymers. The in vitro hydrolytic degradation of the resulting implants showed that the degradation rate of PLGC was lower than that of PLGA, which could markedly reduce acidic degradation products. Finally, we demonstrated that higher CL contents in compositions slowed degradation rates.
Structure and Properties of 9,14,15,16,17,18,19,20-Octahydro-9,14[1′,4′]-benzenobenzo[b]triphenylene
Authors: Masnovi Michelle E. , Masnovi John , Schildcrout Steven M.
Published: June 2016

The compound 9,14,15,16,17,18,19,20-octahydro-9,14[1′,4′]-benzenobenzo[b]triphenylene, C28H24, was prepared by hydrogenation of the 4πs+4πs photocycloadduct of dibenz[a,c]anthracene and 1,3-cyclohexadiene with Pt/C in ethyl acetate. The X-ray diffraction analysis shows that the compound crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P21/c with the geometric parameters of a = 11.0090(17) Å, b = 13.733(2) Å, c = 13.091(2) Å, and β = 109.583(13)°. In addition to several close intramolecular contacts involving hydrogens derived from the dibenzanthracene moiety, long interannular C–C single bonds of about 1.593 Å are present. These bonds are shorter by about 0.18 Å than the corresponding bonds in the unsaturated precursor, which can be attributed to reduced strain in the more saturated polycyclic ring system. Anisotropic shielding of the four endo-methylene hydrogens in the 1H NMR spectrum is larger for the two hydrogens lying above the phenanthrene unit, which resonate at 1.03 ppm, than those above the benzenoid ring, which resonate at 1.24 ppm. Theoretical calculations reproduce the geometry with good agreement.
Immune Regulation and Antitumor Effect of TIM-1
Authors: Du Peng , Xiong Ruihua , Li Xiaodong , Jiang Jingting
Published: June 2016

T cells play an important role in antitumor immunity, and the T cell immunoglobulin domain and the mucin domain protein-1 (TIM-1) on its surface, as a costimulatory molecule, has a strong regulatory effect on T cells. TIM-1 can regulate and enhance type 1 immune response of tumor association. Therefore, TIM-1 costimulatory pathways may be a promising therapeutic target in future tumor immunotherapy. This review describes the immune regulation and antitumor effect of TIM-1.
A Class of Special Hypersurfaces in Real Space Forms
Authors: Zhao Yan , Liu Ximin
Published: June 2016

We define the generalized golden- and product-shaped hypersurfaces in real space forms. A hypersurfaceMin real space formsRn+1,Sn+1, andHn+1is isoparametric if it has constant principal curvatures. Based on the classification of isoparametric hypersurfaces, we obtain the whole families of the generalized golden- and product-shaped hypersurfaces in real space forms.
Promoter Methylation Status of Breast Cancer Susceptibility Gene 1 and 17 Beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 Gene in Sporadic Breast Cancer Patients
Authors: Hosny Marwa M. , Sabek Nagwan A. , El-Abaseri Taghrid B. , Hassan Fathalla M. , Farrag Sherif H.
Published: June 2016

Epigenetic modifications are involved in breast carcinogenesis. Identifying genes that are epigenetically silenced via methylation could select target patients for diagnostic as well as therapeutic potential. We assessed promoter methylation of breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1) and 17 Beta Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenase Type 1 (17βHSD-1) in normal and cancer breast tissues of forty sporadic breast cancer (BC) cases using restriction enzyme based methylation-specific PCR (REMS-PCR). In cancerous tissues,BRCA1and17βHSD-1were methylated in 42.5% and 97.5%, respectively, while normal tissues had 35% and 95% methylation, respectively.BRCA1methylation in normal tissues was 12.2-fold more likely to associate with methylation in cancer tissues (p<0.001). It correlated significantly with increased age at menopause, mitosis, the negative status of Her2, and the molecular subtype “luminal A” (p=0.048,p=0.042,p=0.007, andp=0.049, resp.). Methylation ofBRCA1and17βHSD-1related to luminal A subtype of breast cancer. Since a small proportion of normal breast epithelial cells hadBRCA1methylation, our preliminary findings suggest that methylation ofBRCA1may be involved in breast tumors initiation and progression; therefore, it could be used as a biomarker for the early detection of sporadic breast cancer. Methylation of17βHSD-1in normal and cancer tissue could save patients the long term use of adjuvant antiestrogen therapies.
Attenuation Correction Effects in Rainfall Estimation at X-Band Dual-Polarization Radar: Evaluation with a Dense Rain Gauge Network
Authors: Oh Young-A , Lee DaeHyung , Jung Sung-Hwa , Nam Kyung-Yeub , Lee GyuWon
Published: June 2016

The effects of attenuation correction in rainfall estimation with X-band dual-polarization radar were investigated with a dense rain gauge network. The calibration bias in reflectivity (ZH) was corrected using a self-consistency principle. The attenuation correction ofZHand the differential reflectivity (ZDR) were performed by a path integration method. After attenuation correction,ZHandZDRwere significantly improved, and their scatter plots matched well with the theoretical relationship betweenZHandZDR. The comparisons between the radar rainfall estimation and the rain gauge rainfall were investigated using the bulk statistics with different temporal accumulations and spatial averages. The bias significantly improves from 70% to 0% withR(ZH). However, the improvement withR(ZH,ZDR)was relatively small, from 3% to 1%. This indicated that rainfall estimation using a polarimetric variable was more robust at attenuation than was a single polarimetric variable method. The bias did not show improvement in comparisons between the temporal accumulations or the spatial averages in either rainfall estimation method. However, the random error improved from 68% to 25% with different temporal accumulations or spatial averages. This result indicates that temporal accumulation or spatial average (aggregation) is important to reduce random error.
Clinicopathological Features and Metastatic Pattern of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: An Autopsy Study of 398 Patients
Authors: Schlageter Manuel , Quagliata Luca , Matter Matthias , Perrina Valeria , Tornillo Luigi , Terracciano Luigi
Published: June 2016

Objectives: Analysis of a large local autopsy collective to gather epidemiological and histopathological data on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Methods: We examined a large dataset of 44,104 autopsies performed at the Institute of Pathology, Basel, Switzerland, including 2 autopsy collectives (1969-1983 and 1988-2012) to gather current data on HCC in the advanced stage. A total of 398 HCC were diagnosed, accounting for around 1% of all autopsies. Results: As expected, most patients developing HCC had advanced stages of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis (F3/F4). However, in the more recent autopsy collective (1988-2012), our data also show an increase of HCC arising in livers without or with only mild to moderate fibrosis (F0-F2). Extrahepatic metastasis was found in 156 of 398 HCC (39.1%), with lung metastasis (74.5%) being the most common, followed by the bones (24.8%) and adrenal glands (19.1%). Conclusions: Our data therefore seem to suggest that, in the last 2 decades, despite the introduction of new therapeutic modalities for HCC, no significant changes have been observed regarding the metastatic pattern of advanced HCC.
Novel Masters of Erythropoiesis: Hypoxia Inducible Factors and Recent Advances in Anemia of Renal Disease
Authors: Solak Yalcin , Cetiner Mustafa , Siriopol Dimitrie , Tarim Kayhan , Afsar Baris , Covic Adrian , Kanbay Mehmet
Published: June 2016

Anemia seen in patients with chronic kidney disease is a particular form of ‘anemia of chronic disease'. Although multifactorial in origin, erythropoiesis-stimulating agents (ESAs) and adjuvant iron therapy represent the primary treatment for anemia in chronic kidney disease. Subsequent clinical observations revealed that these ESA hyporesponsive patients often had increased systemic inflammation as a consequence of their comorbidities. Use of high ESA doses to overcome this ESA hyporesponsiveness posed some concerns regarding associated adverse events of therapy and increased mortality in this special patient population. Recognizing the pivotal roles of hypoxia inducible factors (HIFs) in orchestrating elements of erythropoiesis opened new avenues in the management of renal anemia. Several phase 1 and 2 studies confirmed the results of early experimental studies supporting the beneficial role of augmenting HIFs for erythropoiesis. In this review, we describe the physiologic functions of HIF in erythropoiesis with special emphasis on interactions with iron and hepcidin metabolism and inflammation.
Registration Accuracy of CT/MRI Fusion for Localisation of Deep Brain Stimulation Electrode Position: An Imaging Study and Systematic Review
Authors: Geevarghese Ruben , O'Gorman Tuura Ruth , Lumsden Daniel E. , Samuel Michael , Ashkan Keyoumars
Published: June 2016

Background: Postoperative imaging is essential for verifying electrode location in patients undergoing deep brain stimulation (DBS). MRI offers better visualisation of brain targets, but concerns about adverse events have limited its use. Preoperative stereotactic MRI fused with a postoperative stereotactic CT, demonstrating the electrode position, is now widely used. Objectives: The aims of this study were to: (1) evaluate the accuracy of image registration using Neuroinspire, and (2) undertake a systematic review of the literature on CT/MRI fusion techniques to ascertain the accuracy of other software packages. Methods: Twenty patients who underwent bilateral subthalamic nucleus DBS for Parkinson's disease were selected. The postoperative CT was registered and fused with the preoperative MRI using Neuroinspire. The position of each electrode tip was determined in stereotactic coordinates both in the (unfused) postoperative CT and the fused CT/MRI. The difference in tip position was used to evaluate the registration accuracy. Results: The mean error ± SD of CT/MRI fusion using Neuroinspire was 0.25 ± 0.15, 0.33 ± 0.26 and 0.46 ± 0.55 mm in lateral, anteroposterior and vertical axes. A systematic review suggested that CT/MRI registration with Neuroinspire is more accurate than that achieved with other tested CT/MRI fusion algorithms. Conclusion: CT/MRI fusion for localisation of electrode placement offers an accurate, reliable and safe modality for assessing electrode location.
Malignancies in Patients with Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Single-Centre Experience
Authors: Madanchi Mehdi , Zeitz Jonas , Barthel Christiane , Samaras Panagiotis , Scharl Sylvie , Sulz Michael C. , Biedermann Luc , Frei Pascal , Vavricka Stephan R. , Rogler Gerhard , Scharl Michael
Published: June 2016

Background: Gastrointestinal and extraintestinal malignancies are long-term complications in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), likely as a result of chronic inflammation and the use of immunosuppressive medications used to control inflammation. Here, we assessed the frequency of malignancies in a large tertiary IBD centre at the University Hospital Zurich. Methods: We performed a retrospective analysis of data from 1,026 patients from our IBD clinic treated between 2007 and 2014. Results: Twenty two of the 1,026 patients developed 28 cases of malignancies, 14 patients were male and 8 patients female. The median latency between IBD diagnosis and first malignancy was 13 years (range 2-27 years). Most common malignancies were non-Hodgkin lymphoma, colorectal cancer (CRC), urothelial carcinoma, cholangiocellular carcinoma (CCC) and prostate cancer. The most common tumour type in Crohn's disease patients (13/22) was lymphoma (5 cases), in ulcerative colitis patients (9/22) CCC (2 cases) and CRC (2 cases). The observed incidence of lymphoma (32.5/100,000), bladder carcinoma (21.7/100,000) and CCC (10.8/100,000) was higher than expected and known from general population. All of the patients that developed a malignancy had received immunosuppressive therapy. Compared to a cohort of 927 IBD patients without malignancies there were no statistical differences regarding gender, antibodies targeting tumour necrosis factor and thiopurine use. Conclusion: Our data support the assumption that a long-standing disease course and immunosuppressive therapy increase the risk for developing malignancies in IBD patients.
Précis of Moral Error Theory: History, Critique, Defence
Authors: Olson Jonas
Published: June 2016

Moral error theorists and moral realists agree about several disputed metaethical issues. They typically agree that ordinary moral judgments are beliefs and that ordinary moral utterances purport to refer to moral facts. But they disagree on the crucial ontological question of whether there are any moral facts. Moral error theorists hold that there are not and that, as a consequence, ordinary moral beliefs are systematically mistaken and ordinary moral judgments uniformly untrue. Perhaps because of its kinship with moral realism, moral error theory is often considered the most notorious of moral scepticisms. While the view has been widely discussed, it has had relatively few defenders.Moral Error Theory: History, Critique, Defence(henceforthmet) examines the view from a historical as well as a contemporary perspective, and purports to respond to some of its most prominent challenges. This précis is a brief summary of the book’s content.
On the Defensibility and Believability of Moral Error Theory
Authors: Olson Jonas
Published: June 2016

This article is a response to critical articles by Daan Evers, Bart Streumer, and Teemu Toppinen on my book Moral Error Theory: History, Critique, Defence (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2014). I will be concerned with four main topics. I shall first try to illuminate the claim that moral facts are queer, and its role in the argument for moral error theory. In section 2, I discuss the relative merits of moral error theory and moral contextualism. In section 3, I explain why I still find the queerness argument concerning supervenience an unpromising argument against non-naturalistic moral realism. In section 4, finally, I reconsider the question whether I, or anyone, can believe the error theory.
Political Liberalism and Political Community
Authors: Leland RJ , van Wietmarschen Han
Published: June 2016

We provide a justification for political liberalism’s Reciprocity Principle, which states that political decisions must be justified exclusively on the basis of considerations that all reasonable citizens can reasonably be expected to accept. The standard argument for the Reciprocity Principle grounds it in a requirement of respect for persons. We argue for a different, but compatible, justification: the Reciprocity Principle is justified because it makes possible a desirable kind of political community. The general endorsement of the Reciprocity Principle, we will argue, helps realize joint political rule and relationships of civic friendship. The main obstacle to the realization of these values is the presence of reasonable disagreement about religious, moral, and philosophical issues characteristic of liberal societies. We show the Reciprocity Principle helps to overcome this obstacle.
Two Conceptions of Justice
Authors: Klocksiem Justin
Published: June 2016

What is the relationship between justice and moral permissibility? If an action constitutes an injustice, does that decisively rule it out, morally speaking, or merely count heavily against it? This paper argues that although the injustice of an action counts heavily against performing it, this effect can sometimes be overridden by consequentialist concerns. This suggests that injustice does not conclusively rule out actions that generate it, which in turn suggests that an approach to justice that conceives of it as an object of intrinsic moral value more accurately reflects the behavior of justice than do more traditional deontological approaches.
The Play of Signifiers
Authors: Aichele George
Published: June 2016

This essay presents a brief introduction to the scholarly methodology known as “poststructuralism.” The first two parts discuss basic concepts in poststructuralist study in general, as well as major concerns involved in poststructuralist study of any text. The focus is on the importance of the materiality of the signifier and how that materiality both plays a part in and disrupts the construction of meaning. The second two parts show more specifically how these concepts and concerns come to bear on the study of biblical texts and related material. The focus is on a poststructuralist methodology that questions and challenges the meanings that readers assign to biblical texts. These four parts are followed by a brief conclusion.
Mesobiotus philippinicus sp. nov., the first limnoterrestrial tardigrade from the Philippines
Authors: MAPALO MARC A. , STEC DANIEL , MIRANO-BASCOS DENISE , MICHALCZYK ŁUKASZ
Published: June 2016

The limnoterrestrial tardigrade fauna of the Philippines is completely unknown. In this paper, we describe the first ever limnoterrestrial water bear species from this southeast Asian country, Mesobiotus philippinicus sp. nov., found in a moss sample collected in Quezon City. Apart from morphometrics and imaging in light microscopy, we also analysed the new species under scanning electron microscope and sequenced four DNA markers differing in mutation rates, three nuclear (18S rRNA, 28S rRNA, and ITS-2) and one mitochondrial (COI). This allowed not only a detailed description but also provided barcodes to aid future species identification. The new species belongs to the harmsworthi group and is most similar to M. diffusus (Binda & Pilato, 1987), M. pseudocoronatus (Pilato et al., 2006), M. montanus (Murray, 1910) and M. mottai (Binda & Pilato, 1994), but differs from these species by whorled egg processes and dimensions of some morphometric traits. The 28S rRNA, ITS-2 and COI sequences presented in this paper are the first published DNA sequences for the genus Mesobiotus.
Sympotthastia wuyiensis sp. n. from China, with description of the immature stages of S. takatensis (Tokunaga) (Diptera, Chironomidae)
Authors: LIU WENBIN , FERRINGTON LEONARD C. JR , WANG XINHUA
Published: June 2016

Sympotthastia wuyiensis sp. n. is described and illustrated as male imago from China. The immature stages of S. takatensis (Tokunaga) are described. The generic diagnosis is emended. Key to the known adult males, larvae and pupae of the genus worldwide is presented.
An Assessment of Multimodel Simulations for the Variability of Western North Pacific Tropical Cyclones and Its Association with ENSO
Authors: Han Rongqing , Wang Hui , Hu Zeng-Zhen , Kumar Arun , Li Weijing , Long Lindsey N. , Schemm Jae-Kyung E. , Peng Peitao , Wang Wanqiu , Si Dong , Jia Xiaolong , Zhao Ming , Vecchi Gabriel A. , LaRow Timothy E. , Lim Young-Kwon , Schubert Siegfried D. , Camargo Suzana J. , Henderson Naomi , Jonas Jeffrey A. , Walsh Kevin J. E.
Published: June 2016

An assessment of simulations of the interannual variability of tropical cyclones (TCs) over the western North Pacific (WNP) and its association with El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO), as well as a subsequent diagnosis for possible causes of model biases generated from simulated large-scale climate conditions, are documented in the paper. The model experiments are carried out by the Hurricane Work Group under the U.S. Climate Variability and Predictability Research Program (CLIVAR) using five global climate models (GCMs) with a total of 16 ensemble members forced by the observed sea surface temperature and spanning the 28-yr period from 1982 to 2009. The results show GISS and GFDL model ensemble means best simulate the interannual variability of TCs, and the multimodel ensemble mean (MME) follows. Also, the MME has the closest climate mean annual number of WNP TCs and the smallest root-mean-square error to the observation.

Most GCMs can simulate the interannual variability of WNP TCs well, with stronger TC activities during two types of El Niño—namely, eastern Pacific (EP) and central Pacific (CP) El Niño—and weaker activity during La Niña. However, none of the models capture the differences in TC activity between EP and CP El Niño as are shown in observations. The inability of models to distinguish the differences in TC activities between the two types of El Niño events may be due to the bias of the models in response to the shift of tropical heating associated with CP El Niño.
Anthropogenic Aerosol Emissions and Rainfall Decline in Southwestern Australia: Coincidence or Causality?
Authors: Heinzeller Dominikus , Junkermann Wolfgang , Kunstmann Harald
Published: June 2016

It is commonly understood that the observed decline in precipitation in southwestern Australia during the twentieth century is caused by anthropogenic factors. Candidates therefore are changes to large-scale atmospheric circulations due to global warming, extensive deforestation, and anthropogenic aerosol emissions—all of which are effective on different spatial and temporal scales. This contribution focuses on the role of rapidly rising aerosol emissions from anthropogenic sources in southwestern Australia around 1970. An analysis of historical long-term rainfall data of the Bureau of Meteorology shows that southwestern Australia as a whole experienced a gradual decline in precipitation over the twentieth century. However, on smaller scales and for the particular example of the Perth catchment area, a sudden drop in precipitation around 1970 is apparent. Modeling experiments at a convection-resolving resolution of 3.3 km using the Weather Research and Forecasting (WRF) Model version 3.6.1 with the aerosol-aware Thompson–Eidhammer microphysics scheme are conducted for the period 1970–74. A comparison of four runs with different prescribed aerosol emissions and without aerosol effects demonstrates that tripling the pre-1960s atmospheric CCN and IN concentrations can suppress precipitation by 2%–9%, depending on the area and the season. This suggests that a combination of all three processes is required to account for the gradual decline in rainfall seen for greater southwestern Australia and for the sudden drop observed in areas along the west coast in the 1970s: changing atmospheric circulations, deforestation, and anthropogenic aerosol emissions.
Neonatal Maternal Separation Alters, in a Sex-Specific Manner, the Expression of TRH, of TRH-Degrading Ectoenzyme in the Rat Hypothalamus, and the Response of the Thyroid Axis to Starvation
Authors: Jaimes-Hoy Lorraine , Gutiérrez-Mariscal Mariana , Vargas Yamili , Pérez-Maldonado Adrián , Romero Fidelia , Sánchez-Jaramillo Edith , Charli Jean-Louis , Joseph-Bravo Patricia
Published: June 2016

Hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis activity is important for energy homeostasis, and is modified by stress. Maternal separation (MS) alters the stress response and predisposes to metabolic disturbances in the adult. We therefore studied the effect of MS on adult HPT axis activity. Wistar male and female pups were separated from their mothers 3 h/d during postnatal day (PND)2–PND21 (MS), or left nonhandled (NH). Open field and elevated plus maze tests revealed increased locomotion in MS males and anxiety-like behavior in MS females. At PND90, MS females had increased body weight gain, Trh expression in the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus, and white adipose tissue mass. MS males had increased expression of TRH-degrading enzyme in tanycytes, reduced TSH and T3, and enhanced corticosterone serum concentrations. MS stimulated brown adipose tissue deiodinase 2 activity in either sex. Forty-eight hours of fasting (PND60) augmented serum corticosterone levels similarly in MS or NH females but more in MS than in NH male rats. MS reduced the fasting-induced drop in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus-Trh expression of males but not of females and abolished the fasting-induced increase in Trh expression in both sexes. Fasting reduced serum concentrations of TSH, T4, and T3, less in MS than in NH males, whereas in females, TSH decreased in MS but not in NH rats, but T4 and T3 decreased similarly in NH and MS rats. In conclusion, MS produced long-term changes in the activity of the HPT axis that were sex specific; response to fasting was partially blunted in males, which could affect their adaptive response to negative energy balance.
Recent advances in understanding and treating vasculitis
Authors: Koster Matthew J. , Warrington Kenneth J.
Published: June 2016

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (ANCA)-associated vasculitides (AAVs) are near universally fatal conditions if untreated. Although effective therapeutic options are available for these diseases, treatment regimens are associated with both short- and long-term adverse effects. The recent identification of effective B-cell-targeted therapy with an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody has transformed the treatment landscape of AAV. Questions, nevertheless, remain regarding the appropriate timing, dose, frequency, duration, and long-term effects of treatment. The aim of this article is to provide an overview of the current information, recent advances, ongoing clinical trials, and future treatment possibilities in AAV.
Tax Accounting of Securities Transactions: Features, Problems and Solutions
Authors: Попов  , Popov Alexey
Published: June 2016

The article is devoted to the peculiarities of the recognition and measurement

of income and expenses from operations with securities in order to form the tax

base for income tax. Regulatory concept and types of securities are considered.

The general provisions of the formation of financial results from operations with

securities for tax purposes are formulated. The features of the valuation

of securities at their initial recognition the acquisition cost is expressed in rubles

and foreign currency. Principles of income and cost estimates for listed and

unlisted securities organized market are marked. The questions of calculation

of income and expenses for tax purposes are discussed when the transaction

with securities made on the organized market and outside it. The features of the

tax account of losses on securities transactions are considered. Perspective

directions for improvement of tax accounting operations with securities are

formulated.
Modern State and Future Development of Resort Complex of the Crimea
Authors: Панаско  , Panasko Daniil , Ермоленко  , Ermolenko G.
Published: June 2016

The article analyzes the modern state of the Crimean resort complex. Based

on the dynamics of the statistical data and the results of the comparative analysis

the problems are revealed which prevent the development. The authors considers

the ways to solve these problems. The indicators of citizens health care and the

possibilities of economic development of the resort complex are analyzed.